I, Miyamizu Mitsuha, a delinquent boss?

Monday

After Kyosuke Hojo arrived at school, Takemichi Hanagaki and his four companions were already standing by his desk.

"Hojo-san, thank you so much for saving my life!"

Click.

Kyosuke Hojo heard a sound like breaking glass near his ear. Puzzled, he turned to look and saw Tetta Kisaki. Ah, so that was the shattered heart of this so-called superhero.

Kisaki, you can't blame me. You had your chance and blew it.

Muttering this inwardly, Kyosuke politely told Takemichi and the others that they were all classmates, so no need to be so formal.

The day passed with nothing but sleep and study.

That night, at Nezu Shrine.

Kyosuke Hojo sat atop the high steps, fingers interlaced, chin resting on them, elbows propped on his knees. He gazed down at the noisy subordinates below, his mind wandering aimlessly.

He strongly suspected that perhaps some elder in those subordinates’ families served as a priest at this shrine; otherwise, why else hold every meeting here?

Once again, the entire branch gathered, including all members. Kyosuke had noticed these guys genuinely enjoyed their meetings—or rather, they loved the group rides that followed. Any trivial matter could serve as an excuse for a gathering, just like this time.

“The Commander, the Kanto Manji Gang has issued us a challenge to erase the shame of being defeated by you alone.”

“Hahaha! The Commander took them all down single-handedly. How dare they declare war on us, the Runaway Angels?”

Perhaps because the issue was trivial, the atmosphere was light. Just as Kyosuke Makoto finished speaking, Eikichi Onizuka immediately led the cheers from below.

“Eikichi, have you forgotten that the one who nearly beat you to a pulp, Aimi Aishu, was also taken down by the Commander alone?” teased Takeshi Sagara from the Kaikyuu branch.

“Ah, that’s true. The Commander is definitely Japan’s strongest!” Onizuka laughed without a hint of shame.

“We don’t need the headquarters or Kaikyuu to intervene. Six Roppongi alone can take down the East Manji, right, Randou?” said Ran Haitani, with his golden braid, teasingly nudging his brother, Rindou Haitani.

“Yeah,” Rindou adjusted his glasses in agreement.

“We can’t let Six Roppongi have all the fun. Kaikyuu can finish off East Manji by tomorrow night,” said Tomoji Katagiri. Perhaps because he was enjoying time with his comrades, his usually stern, square face looked much softer.

“Enough bickering—let’s see what the Commander says,” Tetta Kisaki urged.

The group finally fell silent, turning their eyes to Kyosuke Hojo, who had remained quiet for quite some time atop the steps.

Silence.

Kyosuke continued not to speak, and the once lively atmosphere chilled and solidified.

Even Onizuka Eikichi stopped laughing. They assumed the Commander was displeased with their earlier remarks.

What they did not know was that at this moment, “Kyosuke Hojo” was nearly crying in fear.

Why? I was only yawning while braiding ropes with my grandmother, and now I’ve opened my eyes in such a terrifying place? And why does my body feel like this?

Oh great deity, are you punishing me for my lack of faith? I am your only shrine maiden. Please save me! Mitsuha Miyamizu prayed silently.

Listening to the fierce discussions below about wiping out another gang, Mitsuha did her best to hide her face in shadow. Fortunately, the hands of this body were not only slender but perfectly positioned atop her head, effectively shielding her face.

Below, as the tension thickened and the situation grew unpredictable, Kyosuke Makoto, feeling uneasy, forced himself to speak.

“Commander, your orders?”

Mitsuha peered cautiously through her fingers, seeing countless pairs of eyes glowing faintly in the darkness, all fixed unblinkingly on her.

What should I do? Is that towering monster speaking to me?

The sudden quiet unsettled not only the Runaway Angels but also Mitsuha herself, tears welling in her eyes.

Seeing Kyosuke still silent, Tetta Kisaki grew puzzled. Among everyone present, he knew Kyosuke best and was certain he wouldn’t be angry about their earlier comments. So why the silence now? Could he have fallen asleep?

“Commander!” Kisaki raised his voice, calling out.

“Kisaki, what are you doing? You scared me!” Onizuka shrugged.

“I’m checking if the Commander’s asleep,” Kisaki answered honestly.

“Really? The Commander can sleep through this?!” Onizuka’s eyes widened. Even he couldn’t doze off in such a lively setting. Truly, the Commander was exceptional.

The delinquents, overhearing Kisaki and Onizuka’s exchange and seeing Kyosuke still unmoving above, began to murmur among themselves.

“...” Kyosuke Makoto stared at Kyosuke Hojo repeatedly, noting he hadn’t changed his posture since earlier.

Looking around, everyone else was eagerly awaiting confirmation that the Commander really was asleep.

With no other choice, Kyosuke Makoto stepped up the stairs.

Ah! The giant is coming!

Mitsuha screamed inwardly, knowing that if someone’s sleeping, they shouldn’t be disturbed!

With no escape, Mitsuha mustered courage and lifted her head.

“Commander, you’re not asleep,” Makoto said, startled by the sudden movement, then retreated down the steps.

“I’m definitely not asleep,” Mitsuha replied, but it was a pleasant male voice that startled her.

“I?”

The delinquents looked up in confusion. Who would have thought their fierce Commander would refer to himself with such a cute pronoun?

“Ahem! I’m not asleep!” Mitsuha quickly corrected, feeling the oddity of hearing herself speak in a male voice.

During her brief time pretending to be unconscious, she had gleaned some information. This body seemed to be the gang leader, so whatever she said would likely go unquestioned—even if suspected, no one would dare ask for explanation.

“Commander, what’s your decision regarding the Kanto Manji Gang?” Kyosuke Makoto asked.

“I think... I think fighting is bad!” Mitsuha said bravely, honestly expressing her true feelings. Even if they were bad guys, there should be some sense. Fighting is inherently wrong.

Below the steps, the delinquents exchanged glances, unsure how to respond.

“The Commander means that the East Manji, a third-rate gang defeated single-handedly by him, isn’t even worth using force against!” Kisaki declared loudly.

“Yeah, that’s exactly what I meant!” Mitsuha eagerly agreed, glad someone was backing her up.

“Just as expected of the Commander! Not even sparing a glance for the Kanto Manji Gang.”

“What nonsense are you spouting? The Commander alone wiped out over a hundred members of the Kanto Manji Gang, including their leader. How dare they challenge us!”

End of pages.